Is The Avalanche a good place to start with Sufjan Stevens?

Yes, The Avalanche is recommended as a starting point for new Sufjan Stevens listeners. A whimsical blend of orchestral arrangements and folk melodies, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is both intimate and grand. When The Avalanche was released in July 2006, Sufjan Stevens was riding high from the success of his previous album, Illinois, which had garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. This collection of outtakes and b-sides showcases Stevens' eclectic style and artistic experimentation following his breakout period, further solidifying his unique position in the indie music scene.

Who is The Avalanche for?

The Avalanche works well if you're into whimsical narratives that invite exploration, short tracks for breaks and thoughtful melodies for quiet reflection.

How many songs are on The Avalanche?

The Avalanche has 21 tracks, running approximately 75 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

The Avalanche

Sufjan Stevens · 2006

75 min · 21 tracks · alternative rock

A whimsical blend of orchestral arrangements and folk melodies, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is both intimate and grand.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Chicago — This reimagined version captures the essence of Stevens’ narrative style, showcasing his ability to blend personal storytelling with broader themes of identity and place.
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The Avalanche Start here — The title track serves as an emotional centerpiece, reflecting on themes of loss and introspection while featuring Stevens’ signature orchestral flair.
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Dear Mr. Supercomputer — This track contrasts playful lyrics with a haunting melody, highlighting Stevens' knack for juxtaposing whimsy with deeper existential questions.
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Pittsfield — With its evocative imagery and gentle instrumentation, this track encapsulates the album's mood of nostalgia and longing while demonstrating Stevens' lyrical depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases diverse instrumentation and unique structures but lacks strong cohesion due to its nature as a collection of outtakes.

What we noticed

The album features a wide range of instrumentation, including strings, woodwinds, and brass, which creates a layered and dynamic sound throughout.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt tempo changes and extended instrumental sections.
The sequencing includes multiple versions of 'Chicago' that showcase different arrangements, contributing to a sense of exploration within the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

whimsical narratives that invite exploration
short tracks for breaks
thoughtful melodies for quiet reflection
playful storytelling with surprising twists
orchestral warmth for cozy settings

Maybe skip if you

seeking consistent high-energy tracks
prefer straightforward, single-focused listening

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid catalog entry that expands on themes from Illinois but isn't as widely recognized.
Career context: When The Avalanche was released in July 2006, Sufjan Stevens was riding high from the success of his previous album, Illinois, which had garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. This collection of outtakes and b-sides showcases Stevens' eclectic style and artistic experimentation following his breakout period, further solidifying his unique position in the indie music scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Iron & Wine· Andrew Bird· Fleet Foxes

New to Sufjan Stevens? Find your way in →

Tracklist

1 The Avalanche Start here 3:14
2 Dear Mr. Supercomputer 4:20
3 Adlai Stevenson 2:34
4 The Vivian Girls Are Visited in the Night by Saint Dargarius and His Squadron of Benevolent Butterflies 1:49
5 Chicago 4:40
6 The Henney Buggy Band 3:16
7 Saul Bellow 2:53
8 Carlyle Lake 3:15
9 Springfield, or Bobby Got a Shadfly Caught in His Hair 4:17
10 The Mistress Witch From McClure (or, The Mind That Knows Itself) 3:24
11 Kaskaskia River 2:15
12 Chicago (adult contemporary easy listening version) 6:06
13 Inaugural Pop Music for Jane Margaret Byrne 1:25
14 No Man’s Land 4:45
15 The Palm Sunday Tornado Hits Crystal Lake 1:38
16 The Pick‐Up 3:23
17 The Perpetual Self, or “What Would Saul Alinsky Do?” 2:24
18 For Clyde Tombaugh 3:43
19 Chicago (Multiple Personality Disorder version) 4:35
20 Pittsfield 6:51
21 The Undivided Self (For Eppie and Popo) 4:59

What to play next

Listen next

Illinois

2005

Continues the orchestral and folk blend, expanding on themes from The Avalanche.

Go back to

Seven Swans

2004

Sets a similar intimate tone with rich arrangements leading into The Avalanche.

Full Sufjan Stevens discography Where to start with Sufjan Stevens Artists like Sufjan Stevens

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata